vein health BY DEIRDRE CARLSON
VARICOSE VEINS NOT JUST A COSMETIC ISSUE Veins are blood vessels that return blood from organs in the body toward the heart, an imperative bodily function. I’m sure we have all heard the term varicose or ‘spider veins,’ but do you know the root cause of this common problem, its symptoms, or possible treatment options? No worries; we’ve got you covered.
WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?
YOU COULD BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE IF YOU ARE: • Pregnant • Going through menopause • Age 50+ • Stand for long periods of time • Obese • Have a family history of varicose veins
SYMPTOMS OF VARICOSE VEINS
The primary symptoms of varicose veins are highly visible, twisted veins, Varicose veins occur when veins usually on the legs. You may also become enlarged, dilated, and have pain, swelling, heaviness, and overfilled with blood. Varicose achiness over or around the enlarged veins typically appear swollen veins. In some cases, people develop and raised, have a bluish-purswelling and discoloration. In severe ple or red color, and are often cases, the veins can bleed significantpainful. The condition is very ly and ulcers can form. common with approximately 25 million cases in the U.S. per TREATING & year, and disproportionately affects women. Around 25 perPREVENTING cent of all adults, however, have VARICOSE VEINS varicose veins, and in most cas- In general, your doctor will likely es, varicose veins appear on the advise making changes to your lifelower legs. Left untreated, they style first before trying more aggrestypically worsen over time. sive treatments. These could include avoiding standing for extended periods of time, losing weight, exercising to improve circulation, and using compressions socks and/or stockings. Veins have one-way valves that If lifestyle changes aren’t working, if prevent blood from flowing varicose veins are causing a signifibackward. When these valves cant amount of pain, or your overall fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing health is threatened, your doctor toward your heart and the veins might suggest surgical intervention. The preferences for doctors are become enlarged. The veins there are the farthest from your minimally invasive treatments (see heart, and gravity makes it hard- sidebar) prior to invasive surgery. er for the blood to flow upward.
CAUSES OF VARICOSE VEINS
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2020 SJ HEALTH AND MEDICAL GUIDE
MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS SCLEROTHERAPY, using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off a larger vein MICROSCLEROTHERAPY, using a liquid chemical injection to block off smaller veins LASER SURGERY, using light energy to block off a vein ENDOVENOUS ablation therapy, using heat and radiofrequency waves to block off a vein endoscopic vein surgery, using a small lighted scope inserted through a small incision to block off a vein ASK A SPECIALIST: THE MANSHADI HEART INSTITUTE 2633 Pacific Ave., Stockton (209) 944-5530 DrManshadi.com STOCKTON CARDIOLOGY MEDICAL GROUP 415 E. Harding Way, Ste. D, Stockton (209) 944-5750 StocktonCardiology.com
